Response of tomato to irrigation with saline water applied by different irrigation methods and water management stratigiesN.M.MalashFaculty of Agricultural Minufiya Univ., Shibin El Kom, EgyptauthorF.A.AliFaculty of Agricultural Minufiya Univ., Shibin El Kom, EgyptauthorM.A.FatahallaFaculty of Agricultural Minufiya Univ., Shibin El Kom, EgyptauthorEntsarA. khatabHort. Inst., Agric. Res. Cen., Egypt.authorM.K.HatemHort. Inst., Agric. Res. Cen., Egypt.authorS.TawficHort. Inst., Agric. Res. Cen., Egypt.authortextarticle2012engIn a field experiment the effects of irrigation with saline drainage water (seasonal average of 4.5 dS/m) and non-saline water (0.55 dS/m) applied by two different water management strategies (cyclic or blended saline water with non-saline water in different ratios) and two different irrigation methods (drip or furrow) were studied on growth and productivity of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill cv Floradade), salinity distribution in root zone and water use efficiency. The results indicated that salinity (at 3 dS/m and above) significantly reduced leaf area, height and dry weight of plant as well as fruit weight and number and hence total yield, but increased fruit T.S.S. content. Water use efficiency (WUE) was increased by using water with low and moderate salinity levels (2 and 3 dS/m) as compared to those obtained with non-saline water (0.55 dS/m) or the highest salinity level (4.5 dS/m). Salinity increased Na, Cl and Mg contents as well as dry matter percentage, but decreased N, P, K and Ca contents in leaves of plants. Drip irrigation enhanced tomato growth, yield and WUE under both saline and non-saline conditions, but showed more advantages under saline conditions as compared with furrow irrigation. Drip irrigation method did not allow salt accumulation in root zone (wetted area beneath the emitters and the plants). However, more salt accumulated in root zone (30 cm apart from irrigation source) of furrow irrigated plants. Mixing saline with non saline waters (blending) produced better results in terms of more vigorous vegetative growth and highest yield, than that produced by alternate saline with non saline water (cyclic). Using saline water up to 3 dS/m produced yield that was not significantly differ than that produced by non saline water if applied by drip irrigation and blended water management.International Journal of Plant ProductionGorgan University of Agricultural Sciences1735-68142

v.

2

no.

2012101116http://ijpp.gau.ac.ir/article_603_af12a0c4c89e9f25d61a753316b08c85.pdfdx.doi.org/10.22069/ijpp.2012.603Effect of water supply on seed quality development in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris var.)K.Ghassemi-GolezaniDepartment of Agronomy and plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, IranauthorR.Mazloomi-OskooyiDepartment of Agronomy and plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Iranauthortextarticle2012eng In order to determine the best developmental stage of three common bean cultivars (Talash, COS16 and Khomain) at which maximum seed quality is attained under different irrigation regimes (I1-irrigation after 60 mm, I2-irrigation after 80 mm and I3-irrigation after 100 mm evaporation from class A pan), a split plot experiment (using R.C.B. design) with 3 replications was conducted in 2004 at the Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture,Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran. Seeds were harvested at five day intervals in nine stages. Analysis of variance of the data indicated that maximum seed weight, percentages of viable seeds and normal seedlings, seedling dry weight and minimum electrical conductivity of seeds were not significantly different among seeds produced under different irrigation conditions. However, maximum seed weight and minimum electrical conductivity were significantly affected by the cultivars. Maximum seed weight of Khomain was significantly higher than that of Talash and COS16. The lowest and the highest minimum electrical conductivity were obtained for Khomain and Talash, respectively, but this was not significantly different between Khomain and COS16. Changes in seed quality during development and maturity showed that mass maturity and maximum seed vigor under I3 occurred earlier, compared to other two irrigation regimes. Mass maturity under I1 and I2 achieved at about 1270 degree-days after sowing for Talash and 1210 degree-days after sowing for COS16 and Khomain. Mass maturity of all cultivars under I3 occurred at about 1160 degree-days after sowing. Maximum quality of common bean seeds was attained some times after mass maturity, when seed moisture content was about 16-25%. Seed vigor of all treatments was reduced, as harvests delayed. Therefore, seed quality of pinto bean cultivars under different irrigation regimes coulde be improved, if seeds harvested slightly after mass maturity. International Journal of Plant ProductionGorgan University of Agricultural Sciences1735-68142

v.

2

no.

2012117124http://ijpp.gau.ac.ir/article_604_5b473f7ea4568f26e5d9650bb513a226.pdfdx.doi.org/10.22069/ijpp.2012.604Quantifying the threshold frost hardiness for over-wintering survival of wheat in Iran, using simulationM.GholipoorDepartment of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iranauthortextarticle2012eng The value of frost tolerance in wheat is increased with decreasing the temperature in late autumn and/or early winter (phase I, acclimation), then shows plateau state for a period with the coldest temperature (II), finally appears to decrease with warming the temperature (III, de-acclimation). This study was aimed to determine the threshold frost hardiness in wheat for avoiding the winter-kill events, and estimating the probability of occurrence of winter-killing across the each phase in five locations of Iran. The model of wheat acclimation/de-acclimation to temperature was recoded in QBASIC programming and run for long-term (39-44 years) weather data, the nonlinear functions were used for describing the changes in frost tolerance across the late autumn to early spring (say, for distinguishing the three phases). Results indicated that the threshold frost hardiness for acceptable [probability (P) = 95%] over-wintering survival is -10 oC for Isfahan, -8.5 oC for Shiraz, -16 oC for Kermanshah, -18.5 oC for Tabriz, and -14.5 oC for Mashhad, for fully (P=100%) avoiding the winter-kill events, the wheat should be contained frost hardiness -12, -8.5, -16.5, -21, and -16.5 oC for named locations, respectively. The probability of occurrence of named events over phase III for wheat contained frost hardiness lower than the threshold value (P=10% for experiencing the death) was 3% in Tabriz, but zero in other locations, the order of locations for magnitude of this probability over phase II tended to be as Kermanshah (79%)> Isfahan (73%)> Tabriz (56%)> Mashhad (50%)> Shiraz (40%), the rest probabilities appeared to devote to the phase I.International Journal of Plant ProductionGorgan University of Agricultural Sciences1735-68142

v.

2

no.

2012125136http://ijpp.gau.ac.ir/article_605_d915e272f32f2aa1a481e91aba880b3f.pdfdx.doi.org/10.22069/ijpp.2012.605Effects of field conditions, low nitrogen and drought on genetic parameters of protein and tryptophan concentrations in grain of quality protein maizeClaverNgaboyisongaUniversity of Nairobi, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, Nairobi, KenyaauthorKiarieNjorogeUniversity of Nairobi, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, Nairobi, KenyaauthorDuncanKirubiUniversity of Nairobi, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, Nairobi, KenyaauthorSam.M. GithiriUniversity of Nairobi, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, Nairobi, Kenyaauthortextarticle2012engQuality Protein Maize (QPM) has about twice the amount of lysine and tryptophan of normal maize and hence represents an important tool of correcting its deficiency in protein quality. However, the effects of low nitrogen and drought on genetic parameters such as gene action and combining abilities of protein quantity and quality of QPM are not known. To study how these genetic parameters are affected by field conditions, low nitrogen and drought, eight inbred lines were acquired from Centro Internacional Del Mejoramiento de Maiz y Trigo (CIMMYT) and used to generate single cross hybrids with North Carolina Design II procedures. The single crosses were evaluated at Kiboko in Kenya in 2006 under optimum, low nitrogen and drought environments. Observations were performed on protein and tryptophan concentrations in grain. Results showed that, the gene action of protein concentration was predominantly of additive and maternal natures whereas that of tryptophan concentration was predominantly of non-additive nature. Field conditions, low nitrogen, and drought changed the proportions of genetic effects. Field conditions suppressed maternal effects for protein concentration, but induced non-additive effects for both traits. Low nitrogen reduced additive and maternal effects on protein concentration while it reduced non-additive effects on tryptophan concentration. Drought reduced non-additive effects on both protein and tryptophan concentrations in grain. By changing the proportion of genetic effects, environments changed magnitudes and directions of general (GCAs) and specific (SCAs) combining abilities.International Journal of Plant ProductionGorgan University of Agricultural Sciences1735-68142

v.

2

no.

2012137152http://ijpp.gau.ac.ir/article_606_59b10d007b99c5cd8e9608d73ded0aa5.pdfdx.doi.org/10.22069/ijpp.2012.606Effects of gibberellin, abscisic acid and embryo desiccation on normal plantlet regeneration, secondary embryogenesis and callogenesis in microspore culture of Brassica napus L. cv. PF704P.HaddadiDepartment of Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, IranauthorA.MoieniDepartment of Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, IranauthorGh.KarimzadehDepartment of Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, IranauthorM.R.AbdollahiDepartment of Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iranauthortextarticle2012engMost of the microspore-derived embryos can not regenerate normally in rapeseed. The effects of gibberellins (GA3), abscisic acid (ABA), and embryo desiccation on normal plantlet regeneration were studied. The donor plants were grown in a growth chamber at day/night temperatures of 15/10˚C with a 16/8h photoperiod, respectively. Microspores were isolated from whole buds of 2.5-3.5mm in length, containing late-uninucleate and early-binucleate microspores, and cultured in modified NLN-13 liquid medium. After 30 days, cotyledonary embryos were transferred to B5 medium. The study of GA3 concentrations (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2 mg/l)showed that the use of 0.1 and 0.15 mg/l of filter sterilized GA3 were the optimum treatment for normal plantlet production (50% and 44%, respectively). Among the various time periods of embryos desiccation (0, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 min.), air drying of embryos for 10 min. produced the highest normal plantlets (60%). In the third experiment, 9 desiccation-ABA treatments (T1-T9) were tested. T6 (no desiccation) or T7 (5 min-desiccation) treatments with 40 µM ABA in B5 medium exhibited the highest number of normal plantlets (68% and 63%, respectively).International Journal of Plant ProductionGorgan University of Agricultural Sciences1735-68142

v.

2

no.

2012153162http://ijpp.gau.ac.ir/article_607_46efc0ad45f47a60865df4d3a4e37cd3.pdfdx.doi.org/10.22069/ijpp.2012.607Induction of somatic embryogenesis in absence of exogenous auxin in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)K.MashayekhiHorticulture Department, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, IranauthorM.SharifaniHorticulture Department, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, IranauthorM.ShahsavandHorticulture Department, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, IranauthorH.KalatiHorticulture Department, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iranauthortextarticle2012engInduction of somatic embryogenesis in absence of exogenous auxin can clarify some basic concepts of somatic embryogenesis. Explants from leaf and petiole of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) were used in this experiment for somatic embryogenesis using three different modified B5 basal media; boron and 2,4-D but no IAA as control (I), boron and IAA but no 2,4-D (II) and no boron, 2,4-D and IAA (III). Leaf explants grown on III produced somatic embryos indicating an induction potential for somatic embryogenesis with an incomplete medium. The endogenous auxin of the leaf explants might have a potential for triggering induction of somatic embryogenesis.International Journal of Plant ProductionGorgan University of Agricultural Sciences1735-68142

v.

2

no.

2012163166http://ijpp.gau.ac.ir/article_608_b39a01d77ffcb7c09c2b412a02f498d5.pdfdx.doi.org/10.22069/ijpp.2012.608Detection of the phytoplasmal agent of pear decline in Iran, Isfahan province, using nested-PCRM.SharbatkhariCentral Laboratory, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resourses, Gorgan, Iran.authorM.BaharCollege of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran.authorA.AhoonmaneshCollege of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran.authortextarticle2012engPear decline is a very important phytoplasma disease that causes considerable quantitative and qualitative losses to this fruit crop. Due to economical importance of pear in Isfahan province, Iran, and the difficulty to determine the occurrence of the disease simply based on symptoms in orchards, a detection method for the phytoplasma causing disease in pears in the region was developed. Since the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay is a reliable and sensitive technique for identification of phytoplasma, nested-PCR method were employed which is included different sets of universal and specific primer pairs. Using P1/P7 together with fU5/rU3, or NPA2F/R in nested-PCR, products of the expected sizes were obtained from only 25% of the symptomatic samples. To examine the variation between phytoplasmal isolates from Isfahan and other countries, and to design a specific primer pair for the Iranian isolates, the PCR product from one of the samples, was sequenced. The BLASTN results showed high similarity to Knautia arvensis associated phytoplasma (99%). Significant homology also was found with phytoplasmas of almond witches' broom (96%), peach X disease (93%), pear decline (94%) and apple proliferation (92%). Having confirmed that there is a variation between the sequence of local phytoplasmas and similar pathogens deposited in the database, a pair of primers (fPD/rPD) were designed from the sequence using OLIGO software to increase the sensitivity of nested-PCR for detection of pear associated phytoplasma in Isfahan. In further experiments, using specific designed primers, the pathogen was detected in 72% of the samples. These primers are vastly introduced to improve the limit of detection and the specificity of the tests for the detection of pear phytoplasmas in the region.International Journal of Plant ProductionGorgan University of Agricultural Sciences1735-68142

v.

2

no.

2012167174http://ijpp.gau.ac.ir/article_609_3b1504610d7f699f972c7f2eb3892662.pdfdx.doi.org/10.22069/ijpp.2012.609Host Specificity of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. in the Manas Biosphere Reserve, Indo-Burma HotspotH.SarmaDepartment of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati-14, Assam, India.authorC.M.SarmaDepartment of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati-14, Assam, India.authorD.K.BhattacharjyaDepartment of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati-14, Assam, India.authortextarticle2012engThe dodder plant Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. is an angiospermic leafless parasitic plant belonging to the family Cuscutaceae is abundantly found colonizing certain plant species in the premises of Manas Biosphere Reserve (MBR) and nearby area. Ten (10) angiospermic host plants in total of the above parasite were recognized. Based on the field inspection most of the numbers of patches were recorded in Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk. The host specificity, taxonomy, economic damage and control measure of the parasite have been briefly discussed in this paper.International Journal of Plant ProductionGorgan University of Agricultural Sciences1735-68142